§ MR. JOHN O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Myles O'Brien, of Tipperary, on the evening of the 17th February, when moving on at the command of the police, and while his back was turned, received a blow on the neck from one of the policemen which felled him to the ground, and was kicked by them when rising to his feet; that Mr. O'Brien at once accused the policemen, and proceeded to the barracks, but was refused the names of the men by the head constables in charge; that District Inspector Gamble also refused their names, but offered to parade all the men, which being done, Mr. O'Brien identified his assailants; and that Mr. Meldon, R.M., refused to issue an order for summonses against the policemen identified by Mr. O'Brien; and whether the police and resident magistrates acted legally in refusing this information to a man who was seeking redress from the police and authorities in Ireland?
§ MR. MADDENI am informed that the facts are not accurately represented in the question. The District Inspector courted the fullest inquiry. He paraded all the men who had been on duty at the hour Mr. O'Brien said he had been assaulted, and on his pointing out two men the District Inspector gave him their names in writing. Some days afterwards Mr. O'Brien went to Mr. Meldon, R.M., who referred him to Colonel Caddell, R.M., who was resident in the town, and who was probably conversant with the facts, and 693 therefore the proper person to consider the necessity, or otherwise, for granting a summons.
§ MR. J. O'CONNORMay I ask why a summons was refused, and whether police instructions were issued to baton the people without provocation; also whether Mr. O'Brien was speaking to two persons on business only when he was assaulted in the manner described?
§ MR. MADDENNo instructions were issued to the police to baton the people. I know nothing of the circumstances beyond what I have stated, and if the hon. Member desires further information he must give notice.
§ MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)If instructions were not issued to the police, how is it that they did baton the people?
§ MR. J. O'CONNORI beg to give notice that owing to the very unsatisfactory answer I have received I will put down another question for to-morrow.